The Early Black Press in America, 1827 to 1860

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Description

Denied its true place in history, the pre-Civil War Black press was a forward-looking, socially responsible press. Through her analysis of rediscovered material from black newspapers and magazines from the 1830s to the 1960s, Frankie Hutton not only presents a perspective through which to view the social origins of black journalism in America, but also examines how this little-known ethnic press interfaced with the whole of journalism during the "dark ages" of the profession. This revisionist evaluation is intended for students, experts and journalists dealing with ethnic and American studies, especially those interested in African-American cultural history. The black press gives trenchant witness to what middle-class free men and women of colour thought and did in their own words. The columns of the newspapers and magazines revealed how middle-class blacks were involved not only in abolitionists issues, but also engaged in significant community-building and humanitarian activities. The fledgeling black newspapers and magazines, of which only 17 are now extant for study, sought to uplift and vindicate blacks as well as to help them assimiliate into mainstream America. This study analyses the problems, beliefs and work of black editors and then discusses their messages relating to such issues as women, youth, style, social mobility and morality. An appendix lists the newspapers and journals under study, and a bibliography points to important primary and secondary source materials.

Reviews

"This is an important, scholarly study that brings well-researched new findings and revisionist perspectives to bear upon the antebellum black press bourgeoisie."-Patricia Morton Trent University, Canada
. . . Hutton has made a substantial contribution to what is known about the black press. This is a book that will be used heavily by other historians and should encourage further revision and research in the area.-Journalism History
Hutton's book is an excellent study of the importance of the black press to the antebellum free black community.-The Journal of American History
Hutton's study is invaluable...-ESQ
The author of this scholarly, valuable book has plowed new ground. No other source describes the black press of the pre-Civil War era in such depth, and with such thoroughness and candor.-Choice
The Early Black Press is recommended for all academic libraries with any interests in Black History. Indexed, and with brief appendixes listing extant antebellum Black newspapers.-A.L.B.R.
"Hutton's book is an excellent study of the importance of the black press to the antebellum free black community."-The Journal of American History
"The author of this scholarly, valuable book has plowed new ground. No other source describes the black press of the pre-Civil War era in such depth, and with such thoroughness and candor."-Choice
"The Early Black Press is recommended for all academic libraries with any interests in Black History. Indexed, and with brief appendixes listing extant antebellum Black newspapers."-A.L.B.R.
." . . Hutton has made a substantial contribution to what is known about the black press. This is a book that will be used heavily by other historians and should encourage further revision and research in the area."-Journalism History

Author Bio

FRANKIE HUTTON is Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communications and Adjunct Professor of History at Lehigh University, specializing in nineteenth-century African-American Studies. She has designed and taught courses in black history, journalism, and feature writing and has served as a senior writer/editor for the Mitre Corporation and for a government service school for chaplains.